Children's Center telethon to be held this weekend

SIKESTON, Mo. -- This weekend's telethon for the Kenny Rogers Children's Center promises to offer something fun for of all ages.

The 35th annual Kenny Rogers Children's Center Telethon will be Saturday and Sunday at the Sikeston Field House.

"Even though it's the 35th telethon, the center has been around for 40 years, and in that time, we've never charged a family for any of the services they've received, and we're very proud of that," said Michelle Fayette, the organization's executive director.

The telethon helps ensure the center can continue to provide therapy to children with special needs throughout Southeast Missouri at no charge to their families.

Originally named the Kenny Rogers Cerebral Palsy Center, the agency also treats children whose diagnoses include spina bifida, autism, Asperger's syndrome and shaken baby syndrome, Fayette said.